It has been a hectic start to the year for many at Garfield, with changing lunches and schedule confusion piling additional chaos on top of the usual madness that a new year brings. You might have questions about school, life, the future, or whatever you’re dealing with, and be unaware of who to direct them to. Well, look no further! Garfield’s counselors are here to support you through any issue that may arise, whether that be with a teacher, a parent, a friend, or a locker. Get to know your counselors: Ms. Alston, Mr. Lee, Ms. Allen, and Mr. Courtney. No matter what problem you have, they are here and ready to help.
Kenneth Courtney (he/him) (grades 10-12, last names R – Z)
How would you describe your job?
“It’s helping a student, helping a family, with whatever issue they have. So it’s a whole bunch of different stuff. Could be scheduling, could be a hassle with a teacher, could be boyfriend/girlfriend problems, could be family problems. So lots of different issues that we deal with.”
How long have you worked as a counselor?
“My first high school position was in 94 at Roosevelt. I’ve been at Roosevelt. Nathan Hale, which is my alma mater and Garfield since 2006.”
What’s your favorite part of your job?
“Standing in the hallways before school at lunch after school and between classes and saying hi to people.”
What is one thing you wish the Garfield student body knew about your job?
“The most simple thing is if you’ve got a question, start with me.”
What was your experience with high school counselors?
“When I went back to work at Nathan Hale in 92, my high school counselor substituted in the counseling office. That was the first time I met her”
What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
“I’ve been with my husband for 36 years, and we love to travel. Italy is our favorite place to go… The first time we went, we biked 4000 miles in 63 days.”
Mr. Lee (10-11th names A-G, 12th names A-D)
What is one thing you wish the student body knew about your job?
“There is a lot of paperwork and emails. I wish I could show you my sent email folder daily, especially in the last month because we have had so much stuff, hundreds, and hundreds of emails a day. Sometimes it’s really frustrating that the system that I work in requires me to do all this stuff that really has no impact on my relationship with students, yet I have to do it because there will be consequences if I don’t, just like there is for students.”
What’s your favorite way to unwind?
“I played basketball yesterday; I do that every week. I’m a very competitive person so that’s a good way for me to get my competitiveness out. I also like to run and sweat and just get all my energy out, that really helps me reset my mental health. I’m also a huge fan of playing records from the 50s, 60s and 70s, that’s really fascinating to me.”
What’s your favorite hobby outside of school?
“I really love spending time with my kids. I have an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old and they’re growing up. I want to be a part of their lives and someone that they can lean on. One of my favorite things to do with them is watch a movie together or have dinner and that’s kind of our family time.”
Ms. Alston ( All 9th graders and 12th names E-J)
What was your experience with counselors in high school?
“When I was in high school I met with my counselor once for graduation.”
What’s one thing you wish the student body knew about your job as a counselor here?
“Counseling is a lot of fun. It’s a lot of work, especially during scheduling… Just like a breath of fresh air with a twist of hard labor.”
How does your experience here at Garfield compare to other places you’ve worked?
“There’s no place like it. You have students from all walks of life who are striving to be their best self, to get into the top colleges, and to navigate this world… I just love Garfield students. In terms of how it’s different from other places, they’re just not Garfield.”
What’s the last book you read?
“Hair Love…It’s one of my daughter’s books.”
Ms. Allen (10-11th names H-N, 12th names K-Q)
What’s one thing you wish the student body knew about your job?
“I would say most people don’t know how much of my job is just responding to emails. I get about 100 emails a day some days, and even more during the start of school. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. E-mail is sometimes the best way to communicate with me. “
What has it been like teaching at Garfield?
“I think it can be really fun and the students here are really interesting… a lot of times it’s trying to make the best of a not-so-great situation and economic climate, but I think the job is still very much worth it. “
After a long day at work, what’s your favorite way to relax?
“I love spending time outside… But when it gets dark, I prefer to just cuddle on my couch and read.”
What’s the last book you read?
“It’s called Endymion by Dan Simmons.”
And is there anything else you personally would like to say to the student body?
“Y’all should check your email… but also don’t be shy to come to the counseling office. It’s our entire job to make sure that you have as good of an experience as possible in high school, so we’d love to hear about you.”
